Daniel Giménez Cacho portrays the central figure, a corregidor who has spent considerable time serving the crown in a South American colony, with the expectation of advancement and a return to his family. He’s willing to do almost anything to achieve this goal; however, he eventually comes to understand that he is merely a piece in a larger scheme orchestrated by those above him – individuals who themselves are not particularly enthusiastic about their positions. This setup highlights the self-importance and unchecked authority of a local administration granting the governor near-royal powers for minor acts of retribution. While "Zama" fares better than many films of its kind, there remains a noticeable sense of superiority among the colonizers, whose actions toward the indigenous population—who are deeply superstitious—often seem brutal. A Scottish saying about being “king of your own midden” comes to mind, and Cacho and the rest of the cast effectively convey that feeling, especially when wearing their poorly-made wigs and cumbersome European clothing which underscores their sense of displacement. The question of whether he will receive his promotion hangs over the story. Watching it brought "Fitzcarraldo" (!982) to mind because both films capture on screen the harshness of the landscape and environment in which their characters exist. It also portrays the native people as somewhat uncivilized, though the story itself suggests they are not nearly as powerless as their European rulers would prefer to believe. The film is unsettling from a moral and physical standpoint, but that's ultimately a positive quality; it prompts reflection on how empires are constructed. Although the pacing can feel slow at times, it offers an intriguing look at a man who finds himself just as confined as those he oversees.

Source on TMDB